LaFell, who had 65 yards and a touchdown last week at Tampa Bay, finished with 90 yards on six catches and added a 25-yard run on what he called the Panthers’ “variation of the Statue of Liberty.”

Carolina has long-coveted a viable, second pass-catching option to compliment Steve Smith. The tight end duo of Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey filled that void last season with a combined 955 yards. Olsen finished with just one catch for 13 yards, so LaFell’s effort proved even more important to Carolina’s production.

CHARLOTTE – Home openers haven’t exactly been kind to the Panthers through the years.

Heading into Sunday’s game against New Orleans, Carolina had lost four of 13 overall and seven of its last eight to start their home slate at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers, 3-5 at home last year, know they must change that trend in order to be a playoff contender. Their last win in a home opener was 2008 against Chicago. Carolina hopes to have started a new trend with Sunday’s 35-27 win.

“We have to own what’s ours,” quarterback Cam Newton said. “If we feel like we’re an elite team, we have to win at home.”

Safety Charles Godfrey, who got the Panthers on the board with a first-quarter interception return for a touchdown, echoed Newton’s thoughts.

“It means a lot for these fans to support us. They want to see us win,” Godfrey said. “We went out and did it for them today.”

Carolina’s next home game is on Thursday night in primetime against the defending Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants, who evened their record at 1-1 with a 41-34 comeback win over Tampa Bay.

“Every next game moving forward is the biggest,” Newton said. “We’re about to play a team (the Giants) that’s explosive on offense and defense.”

Sunday’s game was an announced sellout with 72,879 tickets distributed.

LaFell, who had 65 yards and a touchdown last week at Tampa Bay, finished with 90 yards on six catches and added a 25-yard run on what he called the Panthers’ “variation of the Statue of Liberty.”

Carolina has long-coveted a viable, second pass-catching option to compliment Steve Smith. The tight end duo of Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey filled that void last season with a combined 955 yards. Olsen finished with just one catch for 13 yards, so LaFell’s effort proved even more important to Carolina’s production.

“I’m just trying to do my job,” he said. “I don’t really say anything to Cam (when I’m in a rhythm), because I don’t want anything to be forced my way. When we’re running the ball well, we’re able to spread out the defense.”

Newton applauded the veteran presence of Steve Smith in pushing the younger receivers to improve.

“He’s (LaFell) playing great football,” Newton said. “Smitty demands that out of everybody in that meeting room, and that’s contagious.”

A sign of what’s to come?

Godfrey got the Panthers on the board when he picked off a Drew Brees pass and ran it in from nine yards out with 5:33 left in the first quarter.

That marked Carolina’s first “pick six” since 2010 when Captain Munnerlyn intercepted a Cleveland pass and returned it for a score.

“That’s our identity. That’s what you’ll see a lot of this year,” Godfrey said. “You’ll see us making plays on the ball, causing fumbles and getting interceptions.”

Middle linebacker Jon Beason picked off Brees with 22 seconds left to seal the win.

The Panthers did not come up with a turnover last week against the Buccaneers.

Gastonia’s Patton on Saints’ sideline

Gastonia native Scottie Patton continues his career as the head trainer for New Orleans.

Patton, a 1986 Ashbrook graduate, is in his 22nd NFL season and 13th with the Saints. Patton started his professional training career with the 49ers (1991-95), before working for the Eagles (1996-99).